I was really proud of the "before" pictures with this one. I spent quite a long time on the wedding picture in particular. They're not perfect, but I'm getting a lot better at them. It's always nice to hear that people recognize them! Thanks!

Amazing story, Nikki, and told so very sensitive. Emotions are the core of any human being, defining a human thereby. And your story is just full of them, making this story so very special. I was so happy about the feelings of joy in there, and also sad at the end of the story, as it was kind of bitter. I really hope that your protagonist gets happy some day, as the doors just seem to have closed behind him, with no way to turn back.

I always assume that my characters end up happy - this one in particular. I think that's why he/she ran in the first place. Being who he was, what he had become, that wasn't the reason for the bitterness. The constant reminders of who he once was - those were the seeds of unhappiness. And I think he recognize that he could never be happy again if he stayed.

This story was fun to write for a few reasons, but chief among them was the fact that I wanted to provoke the question, "If you could guarantee happiness, but leave your entire world behind, would you?" I know that the protagonist didn't have a choice, but he was happy.

Nikki, I really appreciate your reply. For the question you raised, I think there is a very simple or maybe complex answer: there is no guarantee for happiness, regardless any action one takes. However, if one just acts due to his or her intuition, giving in to his or her true desires thereby, truly being him- or herself, chances are good to become happy, even if it meant to leave the world behind, which means nothing at the end. Blocking deeply-rooted desires, out of fear or else, will only lead to misery and regret, and any happiness found will be felt as shallow, even if actually valuable, but degraded as not being in line what one actually desires. From that point of view, your story is most fantastic: even if he had no choice, he was indeed happy almost all the time, which is the most important thing. I only hope, as said, that she will find happiness again - but I assume she will, as she learned a lot from such experience, and finally being herself for real!